Wildfires in Gironde: Smoke Puts Firefighters’ Health at Risk

Saumos – 02/08/2026: The wildfires in northern Gironde are taking a considerable toll on firefighters. Since the fires began, nearly 100 emergency personnel have experienced health effects from smoke gases, Franceinfo reports. The fires in the Gironde and Landes departments have released large quantities of smoke in recent days. Measurements by the regional air-quality monitoring service continue to show elevated fine-particle levels, even though fire activity has subsided in several areas.

The burden is particularly high for personnel working directly at the flames, extinguishing smoldering hotspots or securing burned areas. Smoke from vegetation fires can contain fine particles, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds. Which substances occur and at what concentrations depends on the material being burned, the combustion temperature and the wind. Possible acute effects include irritated airways, shortness of breath, headaches, nausea and exhaustion.

The danger does not disappear once the actual firefighting operation is over. Soot and other residues can adhere to helmets, jackets, gloves, vehicles and equipment. Firefighters may therefore come into contact with pollutants again during mop-up operations, when removing their protective clothing and while cleaning. The strict separation and cleaning of contaminated equipment are therefore just as important for protecting health as respiratory protection and medical checks.

The current deployments concern an occupational-health issue that has been known for years. The International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies occupational exposure as a firefighter as carcinogenic to humans. Risks arise both from inhaled combustion products and from skin contact with contaminated particles. In addition to firefighting, affected activities include training exercises, cleanup work and the maintenance of soiled equipment.

France expanded its rules for recognizing occupational diseases at the end of 2025. According to the Directorate-General for Civil Protection and Crisis Management, four types of cancer are now considered potential occupational diseases among firefighters. The regulations explicitly cover firefighting, hazardous training exercises, mop-up operations and the cleaning of contaminated equipment and protective clothing.

However, defined requirements must still be met for recognition. In the case of bladder cancer, for example, documented exposure of at least ten years is required. Because illnesses may emerge only decades after contact with pollutants, complete deployment and exposure records are important for those affected.

The fire in the area of the northern Arcachon Basin remains under observation. On 31 July, Atmo Nouvelle-Aquitaine reported lower fire activity and a declining number of hotspots, but continued to record fine-particle emissions from smoke and smoldering areas. The health burden therefore continues during securing and mop-up operations as well.